Tuesday Tips: Food in the Twin Cities

EXPLORING FOOD IN THE TWIN CITIES

St. Paul and Minneapolis have fast become the home to award winning chefs and restaurants as it was named the Best Local Food Scene in the U.S. By the readers of USA today and travel website 10best.

Even on a student budget, you can have fun exploring a variety of critically acclaimed restaurants in some interesting neighborhoods outside of Grand Ave.

SEWARD NEIGHBORHOOD

Cafe Racer (Seward) 2929 25th St. E., Minneapolis ; 612-208-1695

The latest in the food-truck to bricks-and-mortar restaurants, Cafe Racer serves delicious, healthy, Latin American cuisine. In addition to the great roasted meats, arepas and salads, the spice-infused chicken quarter falls off the bone and the boldly spiced skirt steak is delicious! caferacermn.com

The Birchwood Café (Seward) 3311 E. 25th St., Minneapolis; 612-722-4474

This is more than a café, it is a community hot spot. The Birchwood creates fresh, unique food with down-home appeal. They source local, sustainable, organic fair trade ingredients with a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

KINGFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD

Hola Arepa (Kingfield) 3501 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; 612-345-5583

This restaurant specializes in Venezuelan stuffed arepa -- a little griddled corn cake, split and filled with roasted meats and/or vegetables -- and this food-truck-turned-restaurant is one of the best. Don’t miss out on the ice cream sandwich for dessert.  They start with a cookie made with corn meal, Corn Pops, and Fritos, then dot it with butterscotch, chocolate chips, and a bit of coffee, add fresh vanilla ice cream and serve it up for $5. holaarepa.com

Nighthawks: (Kingfield) 3753 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-248-8111

The chef/owner of the popular Haute Dish in Minneapolis' North Loop, has opened the latest restaurant in the increasingly popular Kingfield neighborhood. It's a diner but doesn’t serve food like your grandparents’ favorite diner! The Friday Blue-plate special fish and chips is to die for and a juicy burger and loaded Kramarczuk's foot-long hot dogs are all worth any wait.

nighthawksmpls.com

LONGFELLOW NEIGHBORHOOD

Sonora Grill (Longfellow) 3300 E. Lake St. Minneapolis; 612-722-2500
This Global Market quick-serve counter turned full service restaurant in Longfellow has fantastic South American and Spanish cuisine. Their made from scratch menu is known for its Caramelos or tacos in Sonoran, the beef skirt steak is a beautiful bite with fresh cheese and red pepper salsa, and the shrimp tempura pairs with a great cilantro aioli. ($3.50-$5 each) sonoragrillmpls.com

Gandhi Mahal Restaurant  (Longfellow) 3009 27th Ave. S.; 612-729-5222
This restaurant is not only committed to high quality, healthy food in a soothing environment but is committed to environmental responsibility and ethical economics. They serve a myriad of classic Northern Indian dishes. Tender lamb simmered in the traditional creamy tomato and garlic sauce is exemplary at this Longfellow spot for $15. gandhimahal.com

ST. PAUL NEIGHBORHOODS

iPho by Saigon (Frogtown) 704 University Ave. W, St. Paul; 651-225-8751
Specializing in Pho, Com, and Bun dishes and a variety of Vietnamese cuisine. The jumbo bowl is $9.50. Eat all 10 pounds of the $15 challenge bowl in 45 minutes and get a special shirt that says “I am the PHO-King.” iphomn.com

Fasika (Hamline-Midway) 510 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul; 651-646-4747
This Ethiopian restaurant serves uncomplicated and healthy food that is also delicious. Because you eat it with your hands, a finger-licking order of marinated rib-eye with onions, peppers and rosemary is just one $12 option. fasika.com